Want to be a mentor?
Mentors will be paired with a Mentee based on interest and industry expertise. Mentors will connect with their mentee over the course of the program and are expected to guide, support, and accelerate the mentee’s personal and professional growth while helping them navigate the industry with confidence by:
The Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program is the most comprehensive industry-wide program available for young people in Saskatchewan.
Want to be a mentee?
In partnership with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Canada, the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program is delivered by Canadian Western Agribition and accepts eight (8) successful applicants into an 18-month mentorship experience that includes:
The Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program aims to create a community of graduates with a deeper understanding of agriculture, business, community, leadership and advocacy for the industry. Graduates will benefit from the most immersive industry-wide mentorship experience available.
The program was established in 2019. Mentees are selected by an advisory committee based on industry involvement, existing skills, interests, abilities, desired outcomes, and overall fit in the program.
“Canadian Western Agribition is proud to partner with the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan to continue its support in building a successful future for the next generation of industry professionals. Having the opportunity to provide a valuable 18-month mentorship experience that is like no other reflects our commitment in ensuring our industry is continually evolving and we are excited to see what this year’s cohort brings forth,” said Canadian Western Agribition CEO, Shaun Kindopp.
Cohort Terms:
Cohort 7: February 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027
Cohort 8: February 1, 2027 – July 31, 2028
Who can apply?
The Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program is open to any Saskatchewan resident aged 18-39. At least 6 of the 8 successful applicants will be involved in primary agricultural production.
What are the education requirements for the program?
There is no formal education required for the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program. Applicants will be selected based on industry involvement, existing skills, interests, abilities, and desired outcomes.
What types of references are required with my application?
Applicants will be required to provide character references along with their application, although any, and all references will be considered. CWA’s selection committee will check references to ensure fit, ability, and commitment.
What is the selection process?
Applicants will apply online. Applications will be reviewed and considered by the CWA Mentorship Advisory Committee and may include an interview process. Successful applicants will then be paired with an appropriate mentor and will develop, in consultation with their mentor and CWA, a specifically designed mentorship curriculum.
Who will my mentor be?
CWA’s Mentorship Advisory Committee will pair mentees with industry leading mentors based on existing skills, interests, abilities, and desired outcomes. CWA’s mentor partners will be a cross section of leaders in the fields of grain/pulses/oilseed production, livestock, value-added processing, and entrepreneurship.
When does the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program begin and what is the duration?
Successful applicants will be notified in August and be informed of their mentor pairings by mid September. The formal 18-month program officially begins once the mentor pairings are announced in October and will conclude March the second following year.
Cohort 5: October 2023 – March 2025.
Cohort 6: October 2024 – March 2026.
What will the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program include?
CWA, in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture, has designed an outcome-based mentorship program that includes skill training, board governance training, industry learning events, networking opportunities and one-on-one time with mentors. The Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program will fund the required mentee travel, training, expenses and related costs associated with the mentorship program.
What are the basic requirements for the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program?
All successful applicants will be required to attend some compulsory programmed events which include, but are not limited to, a mentorship kick-off event, networking and training events at Canadian Western Agribition, and board governance training.
Mentees are expected to actively initiate and schedule interaction with their mentors and seek out training opportunities that build their competencies in their desired areas.
For more information, please contact mentorship@agribition.com
Canadian Western Agribition is proud to partner with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Canada through Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP), a Federal-Provincial initiative.
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2026 – Nov. 23 – 28
2027 – Nov. 22 – 27
2028 – Nov. 20 – 25
2029 – Nov. 19 – 24
2030 – Nov. 25 – 30
